
Ljubljana – Slovenian Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko welcomed her German counterpart Claudia Roth for a working visit in Ljubljana, where they discussed the proposal for cultural vouchers for young people at the EU level. Vrečko noted that Slovenia aims to implement a similar scheme based on the German model by 2026.
Minister Roth shared that Germany launched its cultural vouchers for youth in 2023, and in just a year and a half, the program reached 50 percent of all 18-year-olds. She likened this initiative to the free Interrail ticket program, which allows young people to travel by train throughout Europe. Roth also highlighted that similar programs are already operational in countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Cyprus.
Vrečko emphasized that Slovenia’s national cultural program includes the establishment of cultural vouchers and expressed optimism that they could be implemented as early as next year. She underscored that these vouchers represent not only a project from the Ministry of Culture but also a commitment by the Slovenian state to engage young people with culture, literature, critical thinking, and broadening their perspectives.
Should these vouchers gain acceptance at the European level, Vrečko believes it would mark a significant advancement towards a more enlightened society.
The ministers acknowledged the strong cultural cooperation between Slovenia and Germany, noting that both countries will celebrate their European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) this year. Vrečko is set to attend the inaugural event in Chemnitz, Germany, on January 18, while Roth is expected to participate in the opening ceremony for Slovenia’s ECoC, hosted by Nova Gorica and Gorica—the first cross-border ECoC—on February 8. (January 3)













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